Newport motivated by loss

Steve Virgen

How does a team actually gain motivation after losing 10-1? Allow

Newport Beach 11-year-old All-Stars Manager Ken Gerdau to explain.

Gerdau’s team lost, 10-1, to an impressive Villa Park squad in a

pool-play game of the Section 5 tournament Tuesday at Glassel Park in

Orange. But the Newport Beach manager maintained confidence with an

opportunity for a semifinal berth looming.

“We want to play [Villa Park] again,” Gerdau said. “I feel real

good [about playing North Anaheim Thursday]. I think the kids will

come back strong. The key is to get to the weekend, and then you just

never know.”

Villa Park is guaranteed to play this weekend after defeating

Newport Beach. Brian Garza, who went 3 for 3 including a three-run

homer, led Villa Park.

However, the Newport Beach 11-year-old All-Stars remain confident

about the tournament because they also won their first two games.

In addition, Newport will face North Anaheim Thursday at 5:30 p.m.

at Glassel Park.

North Anaheim is 0-3 in the Section 5 tournament. If Newport wins,

it will advance to a semifinal Saturday.

Gerdau likes his chances, especially if his all-stars can grab the

same momentum they attained Sunday. Newport came out on top, 8-7,

after a seesaw battle against South Irvine. The Newport All-Stars had

to overcome a 4-0, first-inning deficit.

After South Irvine tied the score 7-7, Brian Hurst singled to lead

off the sixth inning, stole second and eventually advanced to third

on a passed ball. He scored the game-winning run after Tommy Colton’s

sacrifice fly.

Colton delivered Newport’s lone run Tuesday, sending a solo blast

over the fence in center field.

Colton, who pitched against Villa Park, also started on the mound

Saturday when he led Newport to a 5-0 victory over East Anaheim. He

struck out nine, walked one and allowed four hits in his shutout.

Hurst, Colton, Parker Werline, Jamie Heinecke, Jack Gerdau and

Matt Ruiz provided hits for Newport.